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Match Report: Manchester United 0-1 Leeds United |
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January 3, 2010
Manchester United suffered arguably the most embarrassing result in the Sir Alex Ferguson era as Leeds United from League One won at Old Trafford in the third round of the FA Cup – embarrassing in terms of the opposition, and embarrassing when considering the Premier League Champions’ Yorkshire rivals thoroughly deserved their victory. Continue reading Match Report: Manchester United 0-1 Leeds United Comments (4)
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Match Report: Everton 0-0 Manchester United (4-2 on pens) |
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April 20, 2009 You may also find these links interesting:
Using his examination of the previous days semi final and the impact the occasion and pitch had on the players of fellow Champions League semi finalists Arsenal and Chelsea, Ferguson took a huge risk by throwing in youngsters Rafael, Fabio, Gibson, Welbeck and Macheda while starting with Ben Foster in goal. It would perhaps be too harsh to be so insulting to the youngsters who made a good fist of the performance and in fairness were the stand out performers in pushing a seasoned, professional, experienced and very talented Everton side all the way to penalties, and even having arguably the better of the play in normal and extra time. The game itself presented few chances – among the best were ex-Red Devil Saha’s chance after a Foster mistake which the keeper just managed to recover, Welbeck’s deflected effort that grazed a post, Cahill testing Foster from distance, and Gibson doing the same to Howard. But the major talking point came when Phil Jagielka clearly took out Danny Welbeck as the youngster seemed to create an opening to shoot, and referee Mike Riley, who David Moyes had accused of being a Manchester United fan in midweek, waved the claims away. Fergie was furious and his anger will no doubt have been two-fold considering the incredible number of clear set piece opportunities that have been denied his side over the last 18 months due to manipulation of the officials. Such a result would have been harsh on Everton on the balance of play as only Anderson and, as ever, the two United central defenders Ferdinand and Vidic left the field with any credit for the favourites. The biggest disappointment of the day was the introduction of record signing Dimitar Berbatov who contributed so little after his substitution that Fergie must have wished he had left wonderkid Macheda on – this feeling probably was exacerbated when Berbatov hit a woeful penalty in the shoot out straight at Howard. A kick in such a situation would not normally be considered a great crime but Everton had missed their first spotkick and the Bulgarian had a great opportunity to establish some momentum for United, however his effort mirrored his awful attitude and body language. It was no surprise that the Toffees were bouyed by the miss and went on to convert all of their remaining kicks (Ferdinand missing the second kick) and in doing so progressed to the FA Cup final for the first time since they beat United there 14 years ago. For United the quintuple dream is over but they must find some resolve as the next 6 days – two home games against Portsmouth and Tottenham – could prove crucial in their defence of the Premier League. Source: (Yolkie) |
Reasons to be positive |
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March 21, 2009
Lets look at the negatives first before venturing down the positive path:
Yes – these things are hard to take, however it happens to all teams throughout the course of a season. Every side hits dodgy patches and I guess we are just in one of those. Look no further than Barcelona – who were cruising in La Liga – destroying Real Madrid in the process, lost two games recently (to Espanyol and Atletico Madrid) to ‘blow the title race wide open’. Barca are now six points clear of their title rivals – can they be caught? Of course they can but it will take one hell of a push from Madrid to overcome the deficit. So to the positives and there are plenty of them – trust me:
I think the last point speaks volumes. United could well win five trophies this season and our fate is still in our own hands across the board. We have a favourable draw in Europe – whilst will be pleased with Everton in the FA Cup. Also, like I said, we have a decent gap in the Premier League also. Remember when Chelsea blew away everyone in 2005/06? What we would have given for a four point lead at this stage of the season – considering the run in. So the point of this blog is to reassure any Red that feels like everything is slipping away – this happens during a season. Sometimes it happens for the worse (1992 and 1998 spring to mind), whilst other times it is a mere poor patch – like when we lost to Portsmouth in the April of 2007 for instance. We are still in all the major trophies and lets face it – topping last season in terms of awards and performances was always going to be a major task. United will not self implode – the only thing that may come into play is fatigue and how well the United players can cope towards the end of the season. For once I agree with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who claimed United ‘looked tired’ against Liverpool. I’m hoping this International break will do the lads well – whilst we must claim three points against Villa on the 5th April. |
Match Report: Fulham 0-4 Manchester United |
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March 7, 2009 You may also find these links interesting:
Manchester United march in the semi-finals of the FA Cup after thrashing Fulham 4-0 at Craven Cottage this evening. The game marked the start of a very important week for the domestic, European and World Champions who will be taking on Inter Milan on Wednesday and Liverpool on Saturday – in what could prove to be a title clincher. United went into the game knowing that they had beaten Fulham 3-0 the season previous – however their record in the capital hasn’t been great. The first twenty minutes were sloppy with both sides giving the ball away far too cheaply. Fulham began hustling United, pressing them wherever possible, which led to Michael Carrick losing the ball in his own half – which resulted in a Fulham chance, whilst Nemanja Vidic saved the blushes of Edwin Van Der Sar with a clearance off the line after the Dutch goalkeeper had misread an long ball punted forward – which was touched forward by the leg of Andy Johnson. Van Der Sar came storming out and the ball embarrassingly started to roll pass him. Vidic read the situation and cleared well although it was a heart stopping moment for United. At the other end Carlos Tevez had a low shot saved by Mark Schwarzer after a mix up in defense by Fulham. Rooney, who along with Tevez were menacing all evening, played a through ball to the Argentinian forward who struck low to Schwarzer’s right. The keep made a decent stop but it was an encouraging start from the away side. United scored on the twentieth minute when Carlos Tevez nodded home a Wayne Rooney flick from a corner. The Argentinian has been frustrated this season with his lack of playing time – although he has now played as many games as Cristiano Ronaldo. Tevez has scored in the league, Champions League, Carling Cup and now the FA Cup. The goal marked his sixth of the campaign and got United playing. In between the first and second goal, United showed their true class with some sublime one touch football – which fashioned chances for Wayne Rooney and John O’shea. Wayne Rooney was unlucky with one of his chance – which he poked just wide of the goal, however should have finished the second. United created an opening on the right, in which Ji-Sung Park ran into crossing low for the onrushing Rooney. Rooney passed the ball past Schwarzer, who had dived to the left, and it smashed the post. Rooney really should have scored. The second goal came fifteen minutes after the first when Carlos Tevez scored a quite superb goal. Tevez picked the ball up on the half way line and began charging towards the Fulham goal. He then cut inside to get onto his right foot before unleashing an unstoppable shot past the Fulham keeper – a brilliant solo goal. The cries of ‘Fergie sign him up’ have been heard in many games recently and after today’s showing it is evident that the player has an abundance of talent. United went into the half time break with a two goal lead, although lost their captain Rio Ferdinand through injury – who is now a major doubt for the game with Inter Milan on Wednesday night. Jonny Evans, who has been in superb form this season, came on to replace the injured defender. Ferdinand wasn’t United only injury concern – with John O’Shea picking up a hamstring injury, which definitely rules the versatile Irishman out of the game. United picked up where they left off with Rooney adding a third on the fifty minute mark. Rooney and Tevez were interchanging passes until the ball was eventually intercepted. Fulham failed to clear their lines and Anderson pounced on a loose ball and the Brazilian fed Rooney. Rooney turned onto his right and struck a low curling shot into the bottom corner. It was Rooney’s sixteenth of the season. United could then sit back and relax and rest some players. Young Eckersley replaced the injured John O’Shea at right back whilst Danny Welbeck came onto replace Wayne Rooney. Rooney is still finding his way back to full fitness – however looked very sharp tonight and will be a definite started alongside, probably, Dimitar Berbatov. Ji- Sung Park rounded off the scoring with nine minutes to play after intercepting a pass from Fulham’s left hand side to the right. Park ran in to intercept before placing a right footed shot into the Fulham net. United started off sluggish, however really showed their worth after the first twenty minutes. United even looked like they could go up a few more gears as the business end of the season kicks in. Sir Alex Ferguson will be delighted that United are into the final four and will be looking forward to the draw tomorrow. Rooney and Tevez were superb with Anderson showing maturity and vision with his superb range of passing. Inter Milan are next up, which hopefully proves to be a superb, but nervous, night. |
Match Report: Derby County 1-4 Manchester United |
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February 15, 2009 You may also find these links interesting:  Goals from Nani, Darron Gibson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Danny Welbeck confirmed qualification to the FA Cup quarter finals for the third consecutive season at Pride Park. The first half was dominated by the Red Devils who were evidently keen to eradicate the memory of last month’s Carling Cup embarrassment by the same opponents. Gibson in particular was impressive, and the immaculate use of the ball from the in-form Ryan Giggs was the highlight of a strong opening 45 minutes. Darren Fletcher had the first chance after being found by a classy Giggs ball, but Rams keeper Bywater thwarted him – the stoppers next save, from a Park shot, was even better. Park almost got the opener shortly after, after another wondrous Giggs pass – Derby defended well, but were powerless moments later as Giggs fed Nani who cut in from the left and lashed home a trademark power drive from 20 yards. United added another before the break to make it 2-0 when Darron Gibson reacted quickest from a blocked Ronaldo free kick to instinctively fire home a cute improvised toe poke from 20 yards. The home side may have had an argument for offside as Rafael, in an offside position, jumped over the ball after it was struck. The goal however was just reward as just prior to it, Ronaldo had the ball in the net and it was harshly ruled out. Ben Foster’s quick throw found Giggs whose marvelous back flick fed Ronaldo, who in turn slotted home. Only after the celebrations did the linesman’s flag go up, and after consultation with Rob Styles, the goal was ruled out for offside, though replays showed the Portuguese to be in line with the last defender. It may have made little difference to the overall result but the game (and indeed, competition) was cheated of probably the most brilliant moment of the FA Cup this season. The makeshift strike force did not have long to wait after the interval to make their point, however, as Ronaldo headed in his 15th goal of the season from a Giggs corner in the 48th minute to all but seal progression. Ronaldo could have got another after being the beneficiary of yet another marvellous Ryan Giggs flick, but Bywater stood tall to deny first Ronaldo then Darren Fletcher. Derby made a decent fist of a fight, with defender Miles Addison converting a dead ball, but a fourth goal for the away side scored in classy fashion by youngster Danny Welbeck put the gloss on a result that ensured United face a quarter final tie at either Swansea or Fulham in 3 weeks time. Source:(Yolkie) |
Match Report: Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur |
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January 25, 2009 You may also find these links interesting:  A low key FA Cup 4th Round tie saw Manchester United deservedly progress thanks to a lovely Dimitar Berbatov goal against his old club, but Sir Alex Ferguson will be counting the cost as his patched up side suffered even more injuries. Tottenham started stung by their poor midweek performance and United’s naive defending allowed Pavlyuchenko all the room he needed to head in easily past Ben Foster. It took a while but United did spring into life before the break, with Tevez hitting the bar and Ronaldo going close, before 2 goals in just a couple of minute turned the tie on its head. First, Michael Carrick’s pulled back corner was struck by Scholes and then deflected by Huddlestone past Spurs keeper Ben Alnwick, and then Carrick’s stunning lofted pass was brilliantly controlled by Berbatov and steered in from 20 yards. The real highlight of the game had been the enterprising and confident play from debutant Fabio, but unfortunately he was the first injury casualty. His replacement, another debutant, Richard Eckersley, was composed at full back. Worse was to follow as Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to be injured as he came off, and then stand in winger Danny Welbeck had to be assisted from the pitch before the end. United made efforts to add to their lead in the second half with the bright Tevez at the centre of most things, while Michael Carrick was brilliant, and Zoran Tosic made an impressive substitute debut outing replacing Ronaldo. But though Sir Alex will be pleased to get through to the 5th round he will have concerns over Ronaldo with a massive league game at the Hawthornes coming up on Tuesday. Source:(Yolkie) |
Match Report: Southampton 0-3 Manchester United |
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January 6, 2009 You may also find these links interesting:  Southampton 0-3 Manchester United A Danny Welbeck header, a Nani penalty and a first senior goal for Darron Gibson gave Manchester United the reward of a fourth round tie against Tottenham after a routine dismissal of the threat of Southampton. The Saints felt they had cause to be aggreived as Welbeck’s opener appeared to be offside, and then a sending off for their forward Paterson for a lunge on Vidic incensed the bench. In truth United were slightly fortunate to be awarded youngster Welbecks goal as half of his body seemed offside as he, but Matty Paterson’s challenge was truly reckless and with both feet leaving the ground referee Riley had little option but to dismiss the youngster. The Red Devils continued to dominate the tie and doubled their lead with a penalty – once again, the home crowd and manager were incensed as McGoldrick was harshly punished for handball – but once again, it was probably inexperience that caused the wrong decision from the Saints player. Nani coolly put away the penalty and almost scored again shortly after, a spectacular bicycle kick hitting the post, before Anderson went close with a long range drive. Sir Alex introduced Wayne Rooney to try and spark some urgency into United’s performance even though the tie was comfortably won – and Rooney did just that, coming close on a couple of occasions before brilliantly finding space and setting up fellow substitute Gibson for his first goal in United colours. United head into a similar cup tie (albeit the first leg of a semi final) on Wednesday against Derby before the massive clash against Chelsea in the league next Sunday. Source:(Yolkie) |
